We achieved this through three core activities:
Minimising CO2 emissions in our operations, from optimising distribution routes to improving the efficiency of watercoolers and coffee machines.
Powering our European operations with 100% renewable electricity
Offsetting the CO2 emissions that we cannot avoid, by purchasing verified carbon reductions from carbon finance projects around the world. This year we have purchased 52,470 tons of carbon reductions, equivalent of 174 square kilometers of forest sequestering carbon for one year.
In 2018, we offset the remaining unavoidable emissions through the purchase of carbon credits. Through the purchase of carbon credits, we were able to invest in projects that are addressed to solve the issue of CO2 emissions. In our case, we currently invest in renewable energy projects which address one of our largest sources of carbon emissions as a company. By reducing emissions to net zero, we have achieved CarbonNeutral® company status in all our European markets.
As part of our CarbonNeutral® company status, after accounting for all electricity in our offices, warehouse and plants, we purchase the equivalent amount of green power to match our electricity consumption in the form of European Guarantees of Origin (GOs), that certify the origin of our electricity is from a renewable source.
Kafevend has committed to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy, joining a growing number of international companies setting the bar high for zero emission electricity. By powering our operations with certified CarbonNeutral® electricity, we are addressing one of our largest sources of carbon emissions as a company. Not only is this the right thing to do from an ethical and environmental point of view, but it is the way we want to lead our business into the future.
Businesses typically have no mandatory requirement to measure, minimise and reduce carbon emissions – Kafevend has however achieved all three and done so with significant positive social and environmental impacts. We have gone one step further and reduced the impact of the products we sell, even though those impacts often lie with the original water/coffee machine manufacturers.